On the plane up to Washington State on Friday morning, I met a young soldier, on his way for a visit with his girlfriend before leaving for his second tour of duty in Iraq. He was well-mannered and quiet, just looking for a kind word.

Whatever your opinions about the war, be kind to the soldiers.

They are somebody’s baby boy or girl.

Say a kind word. Pick up their lunch check. Let them ahead of you in line.

We have a great deal to be grateful for in this country, and those brave children are one of the main reasons we’re still here.